Young Australians disconnected on how to speak out on issues that matter and STEM skills rate highly as essential for the future

New research shows that over 80% of Gen Z believe that understanding technology and STEM are key to enacting change but 75% don’t feel confident in their STEM skills to do so

Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow provides a platform for students to tackle issues that matter most to them while also winning exciting cash and tech prizes

Samsung Electronics Australia in partnership with Student Edge has today released insights from its Gen Z survey, “Voices of Tomorrow: overcoming roadblocks to youth action today”[1] to coincide with its Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition for young Australian innovators.

The survey was commissioned to uncover the dynamic and inventive ways Australians aged 14 to 24 years are taking action on the issues that matter most to them; while also revealing the common roadblocks standing in their way when it comes to turning ideas into actions to create positive societal change.

The findings uncover a surprising truth: young Australians, often seen as a vocal generation, feel significantly disempowered in their ability to create meaningful change. The majority (83%) agreed that STEM skills are essential in helping enact positive change, yet three-quarters (75%) felt largely unequipped to take advantage of these skills.

Young Australians are disconnected on how they can have a positive impact on issues that matter to them. Despite wanting to stand up for what they believe in, nearly half (44%) of Gen Z do not feel like it would make a difference, and 39% don’t know how best to take a stand on the social issues they care about. Highlighting a possible way forward for the unsure generation, more than half (53%) of Gen Z think using STEM to create technology or solutions that address the issues they care about is the most effective way to bring about change.

Nearly four million Gen Z Australians[2] could be the next generation of STEM innovators with 83% of those surveyed agreeing that understanding and using technology is key to making positive changes in the world. Despite over half strongly agreeing that STEM enables the opportunities to turn innovative ideas into reality, only one in four (25%) are confident they have the STEM skills to do so. Almost half (49%) say the biggest hurdle is the lack of resources, support network, and monetary support to enable them to do so. These findings indicate that more focus is needed on upskilling young Australians in STEM-related skills to bridge the gap between intentions to create positive change and equipping them with the right skills and resources to do so.

Dr Kirsten Banks, Astrophysicist, STEM advocate and Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2024 spokesperson said, “There’s definitely a drive in this generation to enact change but there’s a disconnect between the tools, skills and resources they need to be able to speak out on and action the issues that matter to them most.”

“The opportunity is well and truly there for our innovative young thinkers to create meaningful change with STEM when given the opportunities and support. This is why I’m thrilled to be involved in this year’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow program, supporting young innovators to use STEM to turn their ideas and dreams into creating real, positive change in their communities”

Young Australians are not just seeing STEM as a way to bring about change. They also see it as a viable career path, with over four in five (83%) agreeing that STEM skills are essential not only to enact positive change, but also for future careers. Additionally, three-quarters (75%) agreed that STEM presents exciting opportunities and career pathways for them in the future.

With the number of STEM jobs growing twice as fast[3] as non-STEM related roles, there has never been a more pertinent time for equipping young Australians to upskill in STEM.

Brett Turnbull, Director of Corporate Marketing at Samsung Electronics Australia said, “Solve for Tomorrow is a great starting point for any young innovator wanting to get involved in STEM and understand how it can empower their community and future career opportunities at the same time.”

“As a global technology leader, Samsung understands the vital importance of STEM education in shaping the innovators of tomorrow. We are dedicated to empowering Australia’s next generation of problem solvers by nurturing their skills and offering opportunities for students to engage with both inside and beyond the classroom. Through initiatives like Solve for Tomorrow, we aim to inspire young minds and equip them with the tools they need to make a real difference in the world.”

What is Solve for Tomorrow and How Do You Enter?

Free to participate for Australians aged 14 to 24, Solve for Tomorrow is designed to empower the next generation of innovators by solving a problem facing their community under one of three categories, Sustainability, Education and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. The major winner will take home $10,000 cash as well as a suite of Samsung products to help make it a reality.

Educators also stand to win in Solve for Tomorrow, as entries that nominate their high school will be considered for the School Prize, a Flip Pro Interactive Display to help promote collaboration and engagement in the classroom. Recognising Gen Z’s passion for using social media for good, one participant will also receive a Samsung Productivity Pack as the Social Amplify Prize for best raising awareness for their cause on social media. To be considered, participants need to tag @SamsungAU and use the hashtag #SFT_AU_2024 across their social posts highlighting their cause.[4]

“I highly encourage any young person in Australia to get involved in Solve for Tomorrow. Building skills in critical thinking, creativity and communication can truly make meaningful change in the future and I can’t wait to see what you come up with” said Dr Kirsten Banks.

For more information on Solve for Tomorrow, visit: https://www.samsung.com/au/solve-for-tomorrow/.

[1] Samsung and Student Edge (2024) “Voices of Tomorrow: overcoming roadblocks to youth action today”.

[2] Statista Research Department (2024) “Distribution of Australian population in Australia as of 2021, by generation” https://www.statista.com/statistics/1359270/australia-distribution-of-population-by-generation/

[3] National Skills Commission (2022) “Projecting employment to 2026” https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-03/NSC22-0041_Employ Projections_glossy_FA_ACC.pdf

[4] T&Cs apply. Requires an eligible entry to Solve for Tomorrow and social posts must be publically available to be considered for the Social Amplify Prize. See https://www.samsung.com/au/solve-for-tomorrow/ for full terms & conditions.